CALIFORNIAN WINES TO THE FORE AT BONHAMS OCTOBER WINE SALE IN LONDON

CALIFORNIAN WINES TO THE FORE AT BONHAMS OCTOBER WINE SALE IN LONDON

Three bottles of both Armand Rousseau Chambertin and Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1986 estimated at £1,300-1,800 each

A wide selection of wines from California feature in Bonhams next Fine Wine Sale in London on 27 October. The sale comes as the latest Livex Market Report states that 'many Californian wines now trade at a premium to Bordeaux.'

For the fourth consecutive sale, Bonhams is offering a 12 bottle case of Romanee-Conti 1988 which is estimated at £100,000-120,000. At Bonhams September Fine Wine Sale, a similar case sold for £117,000. Other Red Burgundies include three bottles of both Armand Rousseau Chambertin and Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1986 estimated at £1,300-1,800 each, and two bottles of Georges Roumier Musigny 2006 at £1,500-1,700.

From Bordeaux comes a 12 bottle case of Pétrus 1982 (£35,000-42,000) and one of Lafite Rothschild 1982 (£16,000-20,000).

Finally, Champagne is well represented as usual with 14 vintages of Dom Pérignon ranging from £400-600 for a bottle of Dom Pérignon 1949 to £1,500-1,600 for six bottles of Dom Pérignon 1973. There are also two six bottle lots of Jacques Selosse Lieux-Dits Collection (£1,300-1,500 for 6).

Bonhams Head of Wine and Master of Wine, Richard Harvey said, "After a period in which prices for Bordeaux and Burgundy have steadily risen we are now witnessing a resurgence of interest in fine wines from California with the leading estates and vintages commanding top prices."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com